Mount assembly

ABSTRACT

Described herein is a mount assembly for mounting a device to a surface, including: a socket assembly; a mounting element including a unitary mounting ball receivable by the socket assembly to pivotally couple the mounting element to the socket assembly to position the mounting element relative to the socket assembly, where the socket assembly includes a resilient member configured to define a socket to receive and engage the unitary mounting ball, the resilient member configured to permit the unitary mounting ball to be urged into the socket against a resilient bias; and the socket including at least one formation and the unitary mounting ball including at least one complementary formation, the at least one formation and at least one complementary formation configured to interact to inhibit rotational movement about a roll axis of the mounting element relative to the socket assembly.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mount assembly for mounting a deviceto a surface. In particular, but not exclusively, the present inventionrelates to a mount assembly for mounting an accessory in a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Camera systems for vehicles such as, for example, on-board camerasystems, dashboard cameras, in-vehicle systems, etc. are increasing inuse and popularity. Such camera systems are sometimes referred to as“Dash Cams” because they are often mounted to a vehicle dashboard. Theyare often installed into a vehicle after the overall vehicle has beenmanufactured, as an “after-sales” modification or personalisation of thevehicle by a user and are employed as a means to capture images of anarea in and/or around a vehicle. Images captured by such systems may beused as evidence in the case of an accident, damage, or the like. Often,such camera systems are configured to continuously record video footageof a view through a windscreen of a vehicle in which they are mounted.Such camera systems may be attached to the interior of the vehiclewindscreen or to the top of the dashboard of the vehicle.

Some known camera systems are operative to capture an image, a sequenceof images, and/or record video footage when the vehicle is started,responsive to a user input, and/or automatically responsive to detectionof movement of the vehicle.

Typically, a camera is mounted to the superstructure of the vehicle orwindow by way of an adhesive or suction attachment coupled to the camerathrough an arm so that the camera field of view is not obstructed by theadhesive or suction attachment or superstructure of the vehicle.

In a typical mount assembly, the arm may be movably attached to one, orboth of the attachment or camera. Such an attachment can comprise a balland socket joint, in which a socket may be tightened around a ball byway of a screw thread and nut arrangement or some other mechanism. Thismechanism can serve to prevent movement of the arm so as to maintain itsorientation, and thus that of the camera, relative to the surface towhich the mount assembly is attached.

A typical mount assembly as described above may be composed of plasticmaterials. Such materials may degrade over time through repeatedheating-cooling cycles, such as experienced in an in-vehicleenvironment. This may cause the stiffness of an interface between balland socket joint and a tightening arrangement to lessen over time, whichmay result in the position of the arm relative to the attachmentchanging over time, e.g. from a user-set operating position. Such achange may need to be corrected by the user, by repositioning the armrelative to the attachment and by tightening the screw thread and nutarrangement.

A typical mount assembly as described above may not be suitable for aball and socket joint where the joint comprises a channel therethroughto provide a conduit for routing, for example, an electrical cable tocouple electronic circuitry in the attachment to electronic circuitry ina device-coupling element of the assembly. Excessive rotation and/orpivotal movement of the arm relative to the attachment from afactory-designed range of operating positions may be undesirable,because excessive rotation and/or pivotal movement of the arm relativeto the attachment may cause damage to the electrical cable.

A typical mount assembly as described above may not be suitable forin-vehicle use, where the assembly may experience vibrations,acceleration forces and deceleration forces. In combination, suchvibrations, acceleration forces and deceleration forces may cause ascrew thread and nut arrangement to unfasten until, in a potentialscenario, the nut is completely uncoupled from the screw thread. Thismay pose a hazard because, in certain circumstances, the arm may becomeuncoupled from the attachment, which may result in the arm (and anyaccessory attached thereto) detaching from the attachment and travellingthrough a vehicle cabin.

The present invention has been designed with the foregoing in mind.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided amount assembly for mounting a device to a surface, comprising: a socketassembly; a mounting element comprising a unitary mounting ballreceivable by the socket assembly to pivotally couple the mountingelement to the socket assembly, wherein the socket assembly comprises aresilient member configured to define a socket to receive and engage theunitary mounting ball, the resilient member configured to permit theunitary mounting ball to be urged into the socket against a resilientbias; and the socket comprising at least one formation and the unitarymounting ball comprising at least one complementary formation, the atleast one formation and at least one complementary formation configuredto interact to inhibit rotational movement of the mounting elementrelative to the socket assembly about a roll axis.

The movement of the unitary mounting ball may be restricted when coupledto the socket via interaction of the at least one formation and the atleast one complementary formation. Rotational movement of the mountingelement may be restricted by interaction of these complementaryfeatures, narrowing the range of angles over which the mounting elementmay rotate relative to the socket assembly. This may be suitable if itis desirable to exclude certain angles in the operation of a mountassembly. The limited range of motion may protect electricalconnections, mechanical couplings and may introduce constructive limitsrelevant to particular uses.

Optionally, the at least one formation and at least one complementaryformation may be configured to interact by abutment of a surface of theat least one formation with an opposed surface of the at least onecomplementary formation.

Optionally, the at least one formation and the at least onecomplementary formation may be configured to interact to inhibitrotational movement of the mounting element relative to the socketassembly about a roll axis to between around ±15 degrees from vertical,i.e. rotation of the mounting element relative to the socket assembly ina clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. In a particular example,rotation about the roll axis may be limited to a range between around±10 degrees from vertical. In a further example, rotation about the rollaxis may be limited to a range between around ±6 degrees from vertical.

Optionally, the at least one formation and the at least onecomplementary formation may be further configured to interact to inhibitpivotal movement of the mounting element relative to the socket assemblyabout a yaw axis to between around ±25 degrees about a vertical axis,i.e. pivoting of the mounting element relative to the socket assemblyleft, or right about a vertical axis. In a particular example, pivotingabout the yaw axis may be limited to a range between around ±20 degreesabout a vertical axis. In a further example, pivoting about the yaw axismay be limited to a range between around ±15 degrees about a verticalaxis. Where the mount assembly is used in a vehicle, pivoting movementabout a yaw axis corresponds to directing a dash-cam mounted to theassembly to a left-hand side of the vehicle (relative to a mid-point),or to a right-hand side of the vehicle (relative to a mid-point).

Optionally, the at least one formation and the at least onecomplementary formation are configured to interact to inhibit pivotalmovement of the mounting element relative to the socket assembly about apitch axis to between around 10 degrees to horizontal to around 90degrees to horizontal i.e. pivoting of the mounting element relative tothe socket assembly to tilt the mounting element up, or down. In aparticular example, pivoting about the pitch axis may be limited to arange between around 12.5 degrees to horizontal to around 90 degrees tohorizontal. In a further example, pivoting about the pitch axis may belimited to a range between around 15 degrees to horizontal to around 90degrees to horizontal. Where the mount assembly is used in a vehicle,pivoting movement about a pitch axis corresponds to directing a dash-cammounted to the assembly to tilt the camera to point up, or down(relative to a mid-point).

These limited ranges of motion may be suitable for use in vehicleswherein a camera device attached to the mounting element only requires alimited range of values of roll angle, yaw angle and/or pitch angle inorder to record the relevant driving environment. Allowing roll, yawand/or pitch values beyond a useful range may lead to a cameraorientation that might exclude the camera from capturing important orrelevant footage. Further, certain orientations of a given device mayinhibit its function or efficacy, and the shift in centre of mass mayput strain on any electrical connections present within the devicemountassembly system. A range of pitch values may be conducive to a systemwhere the mounting element is coupled to a device, and where the socketassembly is coupled to a vehicle windscreen. Due to the variation inwindscreen pitches, the orientation of the mounting element relative tothe socket assembly must adjust to an angle suitable to record relevantfootage of the driving environment when the socket assembly is affixedto the windscreen of the vehicle. This versatility may enable its use invehicles of different windscreen pitch.

Optionally, the at least one formation may comprise a channel in theresilient member, and the complementary formation may comprise a vaneextending from a surface of the unitary mounting ball, the vane locatedin the channel and moveable within the channel during movement of themounting element relative to the socket assembly. This interaction ofthe channel and vane may provide a physical limit to the pitch, roll,and yaw of the mounting element relative to the socket assembly, and mayprovide some frictional force that is capable of contributing to themaintenance of a given orientation.

Optionally, the resilient member may comprise a circular flange.

Optionally, the resilient member may comprise a plurality of arcuatesections. These arcuate sections both define the socket for receivingthe unitary mounting ball, and spaces between adjacent pairs of arcuatesections define the channels for the complementary vanes. This dualfunction may negate the need for additional components to achieve aneffect of restricting movement of the mounting element relative to thesocket assembly to within a limited range of positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the present invention are described furtherhereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric projection of a mount assemblycomprising a socket assembly and a mounting element in a first positionin accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric projection of a mount assemblycomprising a socket assembly and a mounting element in a second positionin accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric projection of a socket assembly inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric projection of a first portion of asocket assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric projection of a second portion of asocket assembly viewed from a first position in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an isometric projection of a second portion of asocket assembly viewed from a second position in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an isometric projection of a mounting element viewedfrom a first position in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates an isometric projection of a mounting element viewedfrom a second position in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 9 shows an illustrative sectional view of the mount assembly inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an isometric projection of a mount assembly 10 comprising asocket assembly 12 and a mounting element 14 in a first position inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Themounting element 14 is pivotally coupled to the socket assembly 12 byway of a ball and socket joint. In the illustrated example of one ormore embodiments of the invention, the socket is located in the socketassembly, and the ball is located on the mounting element.

In one or more embodiments, the mount assembly 10 may be used toremovably couple an accessory to the surface of a vehicle in which it issituated. For example, a dash cam, GPS device, satellite navigationsystem, and the like may be removably coupled to a windscreen, rearwindscreen, or side door window of a vehicle.

In the illustrated example, an accessory (not shown) can be mounted on afree-end of the mounting element 14 and the socket assembly 12 isconfigured to be removably mountable to a surface, thereby providing amount to mount the accessory to the surface of a vehicle. The socketassembly 12 can be mounted to a surface, for example a vehiclewindshield, by way of a surface attachment element 13. The attachmentelement 13 may comprise a 3M® adhesive pad, a suction cup, or any othermaterial/device that maintains the mount assembly 10 in a position on asurface.

FIG. 2 is an isometric projection of a mount assembly 10 comprising asocket assembly 12 and a device mounting element 14 in a second positionin accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. InFIG. 2 the socket assembly 12 and mounting element 14 are in a secondposition relative to each other. It will be apparent that the secondposition is different to the first position of FIG. 1. The mountingelement 14 has been rotated in direction P about a y-axis using the balland socket joint. The properties of a ball and socket joint confermovement in the directions P, R and Y, i.e. about y, x and z axesrespectively (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Rotational/pivoting movement about x,y and z axes is referred to as roll (x-axis), pitch (y-axis) and yaw(z-axis) in some fields of technology.

FIG. 3 shows an isometric projection of the socket assembly 12 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The socketassembly 12 comprises: a plurality of resilient members 15 arranged todefine a socket 16; a shroud portion 18 configured to form an upper partof a socket assembly housing; and a base portion 20 configured to form alower part (a remaining part) of a socket assembly housing. The shroudportion 18 is coupleable to the base portion 20.

Base portion 20 comprises an aperture 24 to provide access to anelectrical connection port (not shown), which is configured to provide aconnection to an electronic circuit contained within base portion 20.For example, the aperture 24 provides a space to receive a USB couplingto couple an external device to the electronic circuit (e.g. comprisinga GPS circuit) in the base portion 20 of socket assembly 12.

At least one surface interface member 17 is disposed in the socket 16.The at least one surface interface member 17 is configured to provide africtional interface between the outer surface of a unitary mountingball receivable in the socket 16 and an inner wall of the socket 16. Inthis illustrative embodiment the at least one surface interface member17 comprises a silicon pad and provides an additional frictional contactwith the unitary mounting ball of mounting element. The properties ofthe at least one surface interface member 17 is such that it provides asoft, frictional surface that conforms to the shape of the unitarymounting ball so as to reduce the wear of the outer surface of said ballmounting formation, and to increase resistance to movement of theunitary mounting ball relative to the socket.

The unitary mounting ball comprises a ball formed from a single piece ofmaterial.

The at least one surface interface member 17 may be situated on theinside of one or more resilient members 15 defining the socket 16, or atthe base of the socket 16.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative isometric projection of the base portion 20 ofsocket assembly. In this illustrative example, the shroud (not shown)has been removed to expose the inner elements of the base portion 20 ofsocket assembly 12. The base portion 20 comprises the plurality ofresilient members 15, which comprise four arcuate flanges arranged suchthat free ends thereof define a circular mount of the socket 16. Theplurality of resilient members extend from a surface 26 and define aspace therebetween that defines the socket 16. The socket 16 isconfigured to receive a unitary mounting ball of mount element 14. Thearcuate form of the plurality of resilient members 15 and their locationwith respect to each other is such so as to space therebetween that iscomplementary to a shape of a unitary mounting ball receivable therein.The resilience of the plurality of resilient members 15 serves to urgethe ends of the plurality of resilient members 15 inwards to the spaceof the socket 16 and to resist deformation of the members 15 anddeflection of the ends thereof in an outward direction, away from thespace of the socket 16. This configuration can urge a unitary mountingball located in the socket 16 into the socket 16 to maintain engagementof the unitary mounting ball and the socket 16, and resist disengagementof the unitary mounting ball from the socket 16.

Channels 28, 29 define spaces between neighbouring pairs of theplurality of resilient members 15. A first set of these channels 28 canserve to receive a formation, or formations, located on a surface of theunitary mounting ball of the mounting element, where interaction of theformation(s) with walls of the channels 28 can restrict movement of themounting element relative to the socket assembly.

The base portion 20 also comprises a biasing element 30 disposed so asto exert an inwardly directed force on the plurality of resilientmembers 15. In the illustrated example of FIG. 4, the biasing element 30comprises a helical spring disposed as a sleeve around the plurality ofresilient members 15, so as to encircle the plurality of resilientmembers 15. The biasing element 30 provides a force that resists outwardmovement of said plurality of resilient members 15. Namely, it providesa biasing force inwards so that the plurality of resilient members 15are biased inwards toward the space within the socket 16. Further,biasing element 30 may maintain a uniformity of coefficient of frictionbetween walls of the socket 16 (i.e. plurality of resilient members 15)and the unitary mounting ball during heat cycles experienced by themount assembly in a typical environment in which the mount assembly islocated. The respective materials of the plurality of resilient members15 and the unitary mounting ball may be different and so may havedifferent coefficients of thermal expansion and/or the shape andconfiguration of the plurality of resilient members 15 are different tothe shape and configuration of the unitary mounting ball and so may havedifferent coefficients of thermal expansion. In both cases, the presenceof the biasing element 30 may inhibit any changes in “tightness” of theassembly caused by potential differing extents of expansion/contractionof the plurality of resilient members 15 and unitary mounting ballduring different temperature conditions.

In the bottom of the socket 16 there is a bore 32 extending through thesurface 26 to an opposite side (not shown) of the surface. This isprovided so as to allow an electrical connection, such as a wire, orcable, to pass between the socket 16 and an opposite side of the baseportion 20.

The base portion 20 also comprises holes 34 that extend through thesurface 26 to an opposite side (not shown) of the surface. Such holes 34provide apertures through which fixing elements can pass to be receivedin corresponding receiving channels in the shroud portion 18. Thisarrangement serves to secure the shroud portion 18 to the base portion20. For example, screws, bolts or other fixing elements may be used forthis purpose.

FIG. 5 shows an illustrative example of the shroud 18. FIG. 5 shows theshroud portion 18 oriented so that an outer surface thereof ispresented. As previously described, the shroud portion 18 can beremovably coupled to base portion 20 by locating filing elements toextend through holes 34 of the base portion 20 to be received incorresponding receiving channels in the shroud portion 18. One of thereceiving channels 36 is shown in FIG. 5.

The shroud portion 18 comprises an aperture 38 that extends through theshroud portion 18. The aperture 38 comprises two sections havingdifferent circumferences. A first section 40 has a circumference that islarger than a circumference defined by outer edges of each of the remoteends of the plurality of resilient members 15. When the shroud portion18 is coupled to the base portion 20 the aperture 38 is located suchthat it is concentric with a circle defined by defined by outer edges ofeach of the remote ends of the plurality of resilient members 15. Thefirst section 40 of the aperture 18 can serve as a retention element tolimit deflection of ends of the plurality of resilient members outwardlyfrom the socket (i.e. in a direction away from the socket).

A second section of aperture (not shown in FIG. 5, see 44 in FIG. 6) hasa circumference that is larger than that of the first section 40 and isof a size sufficient to receive the biasing element 30 in a push-fitarrangement. That is, the circumference of the second section ofaperture 38 is large enough to encircle the biasing element 30.

The difference in circumferences between the first section 40 and thesecond section (not shown in FIG. 5, see 44 in FIG. 6) is such that theinterface between the two sections forms a lip (not shown in FIG. 5, see42 in FIG. 6) that can provide a blocking surface to prevents thebiasing element 30 from being removed from the socket assembly (when theshroud portion 18 and base portion 20 of the socket assembly are in anassembled state).

In combination, the biasing and retention elements may serve to reducethe likelihood of a unitary mounting ball being decoupled, ordisengaged, from the socket under exertion of excessive forces on themount assembly.

FIG. 6 shows an illustrative isometric projection of the shroud portion18 with the shroud portion oriented so that an inner surface thereof ispresented. FIG. 6 shows four fixing element receiving channels 36, whichcorrespond to the holes 34 of the base portion 20. Viewed in thisorientation, lip 42 formed by the interface between first section 40 andsecond section 44 is now visible. The biasing element cannot passthrough aperture 38 due to the lip 42.

As described above, walls of the aperture 38 that define the firstsection 40 provides a retention element that can serve to inhibitmovement of the ends of the plurality of resilient members 15. Thus, incombination with the biasing element 30, the retention element increasesan inward bias of the resilient members 15 in a direction inwardly intothe socket, and so increases a force exerted on a unitary mounting balllocated in the socket 16. This provides a system that allows pivotalmovement of the mount element 14 relative to the socket assembly 12, butwhich provides a resistance to prevent movement of the mounting elementrelative to the socket assembly in the absence of user-applied force.This may allow a user to set a position of the mount element 14 relativeto the socket assembly 12 without having to use an additional element toset the position (e.g. tighten a nut). The biasing and retentionelements may provide enough resistance to relative movement between themount element and the socket assembly such that, when the mount assemblyis subjected to vibrations and/or acceleration forces, e.g. when avehicle is in motion, an accessory coupled to the mount assembly doesnot move after being set by the user. Additionally, decoupling, ordisengagement, of the unitary mounting ball from the socket assemblyunder exertion of excessive forces may be inhibited.

FIG. 7 is an illustrative isometric drawing of the mount element 14 whenviewed from a first position. The mount element 14 comprises a unitarymounting ball 46 disposed at one end of an arm 48. The mount element 14comprises a device engagement element 50 disposed at an opposite end ofthe arm 48. The unitary mounting ball 46 has a diameter that is of asize to permit a push-fit engagement of the unitary mounting ball 46with the socket 16 of socket assembly 12, which, as described above,provides a frictional engagement between the unitary mounting ball 46and the socket 16. Additionally, the device engagement element 50 can beused as an electromechanical coupling between an electronic circuithoused in the mount assembly 10 and electronic circuitry of an accessorycoupled to device engagement element 50.

A bore 52 that extends through the unitary mounting ball 46 and arm 48provides a passage between the mount element 14 and the socket assembly12 for an electrical connection. This may be provided by use of a wire,or cable that extends therethrough. As described below, this can providean electrical connection between a first electronic circuit, such as aGPS module, contained within the socket assembly 12 and a secondelectronic circuit, located in device engagement element 50 of mountelement 14.

Unitary mounting ball 46 comprises at least one formation extending froma surface thereof. In the illustrated example, the at least oneformation comprises two vanes 54 that extend radially from the surfaceof the unitary mounting ball 46. When the unitary mounting ball 46 islocated in the socket 16 of socket assembly 12, the vanes 54 occupy thechannels 28 between the resilient members 15.

Interaction of the vanes 54 with walls of the channels 28 can restrictmovement of the mounting element relative to the socket assembly. Thus,the interaction of the vanes 54 with walls of the channels 28 may serveto inhibit pivotal movement in the direction Y (see FIGS. 1 and 2, i.e.about a yaw axis) to a relatively small amount and inhibit rotationalmovement in the direction R (see FIGS. 1 and 2, i.e. about a roll axis)to a relatively small amount, whilst permitting pivotal movement in thedirection P (see FIGS. 1 and 2, i.e. about a pitch axis) to an amountlarger than permitted in the Y and R directions. That is to say thevanes 54 are configured to interact to inhibit rotational movement andpivotal movement about a yaw axis of the mounting element 14 relative tothe socket assembly 12.

When the mounting element 14 is pivoted in the direction ±R, the side ofthe vanes 54 engage with the walls of the channels thereby preventingany further movement in that direction. However, and as described above,motion of the mounting element 14 in the direction P is permitted over amuch larger range of relative movement because the vanes 54 move throughthe channels 28 until an end 56 of a vane 54 engages the bottom of achannel 28.

The vanes 54 are configured to interact to with walls of channels 28 toinhibit rotational movement of the mounting element relative to thesocket assembly about a roll axis to around ±15 degrees from vertical,i.e. rotation of the mounting element 14 relative to the socket assemblyin a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. In a particular example,rotation about the roll axis may be limited to a range between around±10 degrees from vertical. In a further example, rotation about the rollaxis may be limited to a range between around ±6 degrees from vertical.

The vanes 54 are configured to interact to with walls of channels 28 toinhibit pivotal movement of the mounting element relative to the socketassembly about a yaw axis to around ±25 degrees about a vertical axis,i.e. pivoting of the mounting element 14 relative to the socket assemblyleft, or right about a vertical axis. In a particular example, pivotingabout the yaw axis may be limited to a range between around ±20 degreesabout a vertical axis. In a further example, pivoting about the yaw axismay be limited to a range between around ±15 degrees about a verticalaxis. Where the mount assembly is used in a vehicle, pivoting movementabout a yaw axis corresponds to directing a dash-cam mounted to theassembly to a left-hand side of the vehicle (relative to a mid-point),or to a right-hand side of the vehicle (relative to a mid-point).

The vanes 54 are configured to interact to with walls of channels 28 toinhibit pivotal movement of the mounting element relative to the socketassembly about a pitch axis to between around 10 degrees to horizontalto around 90 degrees to horizontal i.e. pivoting of the mounting element14 relative to the socket assembly to tilt the mounting element 14 up,or down. In a particular example, pivoting about the pitch axis may belimited to a range between around 12.5 degrees to horizontal to around90 degrees to horizontal. In a further example, pivoting about the pitchaxis may be limited to a range between around 15 degrees to horizontalto around 90 degrees to horizontal. Where the mount assembly is used ina vehicle, pivoting movement about a pitch axis corresponds to directinga dash-cam mounted to the assembly to tilt the camera to point up, ordown (relative to a mid-point).

These limited ranges of motion may be suitable for use in vehicleswherein a camera device attached to the mounting element only requires alimited range of values of roll angle, yaw angle and/or pitch angle inorder to record the relevant driving environment. Allowing roll, yawand/or pitch values beyond a useful range may lead to a cameraorientation that might exclude the camera from capturing important orrelevant footage. Further, certain orientations of a given device mayinhibit its function or efficacy, and the shift in centre of mass mayput strain on any electrical connections present within the devicemountassembly system. A range of pitch values may be conducive to a systemwhere the mounting element is coupled to a device, and where the socketassembly is coupled to a vehicle windscreen. Due to the variation inwindscreen pitches (e.g. a near-vertical truck windscreen compared to aless steeply pitched car windscreen), the orientation of the mountingelement relative to the socket assembly must adjust to an angle suitableto record relevant footage of the driving environment when the socketassembly is affixed to the windscreen of the vehicle. This versatilitymay enable its use in vehicles of different windscreen pitch.

FIG. 8 is an illustrative isometric drawing of the mounting element 14when viewed from a second position. In FIG. 8, the bore 52 is moreclearly visible.

As indicated above, the socket assembly 12 may comprise an electroniccircuit, for example a GPS module. An illustrative sectional view of themount assembly 10 is shown in FIG. 9, which is described below.

A first electronic circuit 58 in the socket assembly 12 can beelectrically coupled to a second electronic circuit 60 located inmounting element 14. Data of the first electronic circuit 58 (e.g. dataof a GPS module) can be communicated to the second electronic circuit 60of mounting element 14 by way of an electrical connection 62. Theelectrical connection 62 passes from the first electronic circuit 58 tothe second electronic circuit 60 through the bore 52. The bore 52provides a conduit from the socket assembly 12 to the mounting element14.

Furthermore, an electro-mechanical coupling between an accessory and themounting element 14 can serve to transfer the data from the secondelectronic circuit 60 to the accessory coupled to the mounting element14.

Providing a GPS module in the socket assembly 12 may result in the GPSmodule being positioned closer to the exterior of a vehicle in which itis situated. For example, if the device is a dash cam to be mounted to awindshield of a vehicle, the GPS module contained within the socketassembly 12 of mount assembly 10 is closer to the windshield, which mayimprove a line-of-sight connection between the GPS module and a remotedevice. For this reason, a mount assembly 10 with a GPS module 58located in the socket assembly 12 as described above may provide moreaccurate measurements from the GPS module 58.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention described above, thesocket 16 of socket assembly 12 is described as comprising a pluralityof resilient members 15. In the illustrated embodiment there are fourresilient members. However, it would be apparent to a person skilled inthe art that there may be other arrangements with greater, or fewerresilient members to define the socket 16. In an optional arrangement,the socket 16 may be defined by a single resilient member, which maycomprise a circular flange.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention described above, thebiasing element 30 comprises a helical spring. In optional arrangements,the biasing element may comprises any other arrangement or device thatprovides a resistance to the outward movement plurality of resilientmembers 15, i.e. any other arrangement or device to provide acompressive force acting inwardly on the plurality resilient members 15.

Any references made herein to orientation (e.g. top, bottom, upper,lower, front, back, and rear) are made for the purposes of describingrelative spatial arrangements of the features of the apparatus, and arenot intended to be limiting in any sense.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,”“including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, areintended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is notnecessarily limited to only those elements but may include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary,“or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example,a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true(or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or notpresent) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (orpresent).

In addition, the terms “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements andcomponents of the invention. This is done merely for convenience and togive a general sense of the invention. This description should be readto include one or at least one and the singular also includes the pluralunless it is obvious that it is means otherwise.

In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a personskilled in the art that various modifications may be made within thescope of the invention. For example, embodiments in accordance with theinvention are not limited to any of the particular materials disclosedherein. Other materials suitable for performing the function describedherein for a particular material may also be utilized in embodiments ofthe invention.

The scope of the present disclosure includes any novel feature orcombination of features disclosed therein either explicitly orimplicitly or any generalisation thereof irrespective of whether or notit relates to the claimed invention or mitigate against any or all ofthe problems addressed by the present invention. The applicant herebygives notice that new claims may be formulated to such features duringprosecution of this application or of any such further applicationderived therefrom. In particular, with reference to the appended claims,features from dependent claims may be combined with those of theindependent claims and features from respective independent claims maybe combined in any appropriate manner and not merely in specificcombinations enumerated in the claims.

1. A mount assembly for mounting a device to a surface, comprising: a socket assembly; a mounting element comprising a unitary mounting ball receivable by the socket assembly to pivotally couple the mounting element to the socket assembly, wherein the socket assembly comprises a resilient member configured to define a socket to receive and engage the unitary mounting ball, the resilient member configured to permit the unitary mounting ball to be urged into the socket against a resilient bias; and the socket comprising at least one formation and the unitary mounting ball comprising at least one complementary formation, the at least one formation and at least one complementary formation configured to interact to inhibit rotational movement of the mounting element relative to the socket assembly about a roll axis.
 2. The mount assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one formation and at least one complementary formation are configured to interact by abutment of a surface of the at least one formation with an opposed surface of the at least one complementary formation.
 3. The mount assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one formation and the at least one complementary formation are configured to interact to inhibit rotational movement of the mounting element relative to the socket assembly about a roll axis to between around ±15 degrees from vertical.
 4. The mount assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one formation and the at least one complementary formation are further configured to interact to inhibit pivotal movement of the mounting element relative to the socket assembly.
 5. The mount assembly according to claim 4, wherein the at least one formation and the at least one complementary formation are configured to interact to inhibit pivotal movement of the mounting element relative to the socket assembly about a pitch axis to between around 10 degrees to horizontal to around 90 degrees to horizontal.
 6. The mount assembly according to claim 4, wherein the at least one formation and the at least one complementary formation are configured to interact to inhibit pivotal movement of the mounting element relative to the socket assembly about a yaw axis to between around ±25 degrees about a vertical axis.
 7. The mount assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one formation comprises a channel in the resilient member, and the complementary formation comprises a vane extending from a surface of the unitary mounting ball, the vane located in the channel and moveable within the channel during movement of the mounting element relative to the socket assembly.
 8. The mount assembly according to claim 1, wherein the resilient member comprises a circular flange.
 9. The mount assembly according to claim 1, wherein the resilient member comprises a plurality of arcuate sections.
 10. The mount assembly according to claim 7, wherein the resilient member comprises a plurality of arcuate sections, and wherein the at least one formation comprises a channel between a neighbouring pair of arcuate sections of the plurality of arcuate sections.
 11. The mount assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mounting element comprises an arm with the unitary mounting ball disposed at an end thereof.
 12. The mount assembly according to claim 11, wherein the mounting element is configured to be removably coupleable to a device.
 13. The mount assembly according to claim 12, wherein the mounting element comprises a device engagement element at an opposite end thereof.
 14. The mount assembly according to claim 1, wherein the socket assembly comprises a suction element and/or an adhesive element configured to attach the socket assembly to the surface.
 15. The mount assembly according to claim 1, wherein the socket assembly comprises a first electronic circuit and the mounting element comprises a second electronic circuit, and further wherein the first electronic circuit and second electronic circuit are electronically coupled via an electronic connection between the socket assembly and the mounting element.
 16. The mount assembly according to claim 15, wherein the unitary mounting ball comprises a bore to define a passage therethrough for the electronic connection.
 17. The mount assembly according to claim 16, wherein the mounting element comprises an arm with the unitary mounting ball disposed at an end thereof, and wherein the arm comprises a bore in communication with the bore through the unitary mounting ball to define a passage therethrough for the electronic connection.
 18. The mount assembly according to claim 1, wherein the resilient member is formed of a material with sufficient resilience to bias against the unitary mounting ball to produce sufficient friction between the resilient member and the unitary mounting ball to prevent movement of the device mounting element relative to the socket assembly in the absence of user-applied force.
 19. The mount assembly according to claim 1, wherein the resilient member is curved to conform to an outer surface of the unitary mounting ball and to engage the unitary mounting ball at and/or above an equator of the unitary mounting ball to retain the unitary mounting ball in the socket.
 20. A socket assembly for a mount assembly as defined in claim
 1. 21. A mounting element for a mount assembly as defined in claim
 1. 